2x10 Speed to 1x11 Conversion

[MatBlack]

Hi hubbers,

Im looking for advice please. I have a cannondale hardtail 2x10 xt setup that i would like to convert to a 1x11 speed. Whats the smartest way to go about this? Is it as simple as getting an 11 speed cassette with a single chain ring up front? Thank you in advance.

[NC_lurker]

New shifter, new rear derailleur, new cassette, new chain, new chainring....unless your current 2x10 drivechain is poked & needs replacing, it's not worth the change.

.... personal opinion of a 2x troglodyte 

Edited November 21, 2022 by NC_lurker
Forgot the shifter

[gemmerbal]

Yes it is as simple as that. If your freehub takes a 10spd cassette, it will almost certainly accept an 11 or even 12spd cassette, but you will be limited to an 11t smallest cog. 11spd Sunrace cassettes are cheap as chips comparatively speaking. As mentioned, you’d need a new cassette of choice, new chain and possibly a new chainring if the current ones don't suit your desired ratio setup and if it is too worn. Obviously a new shifter and derailleur too. You could consider just going 1x10 with a 11-46 cassette, you may need a derailleur extender. But you can then keep running your current shifter & derailleur - this might be your cheapest option, I have done this in the past and it worked fine with a 34 chainring. 
 

 

Edited November 21, 2022 by gemmerbal

[Martin PJ]

1x 10 is just as good. Also a Shimano 10 speed derailleur will work on 11 Speed Cassette with 11 speed shifter. You may need a derailleur extender link to extend the range at the back.

[Alouette3]

Buy yourself a Shimano Deore 11-46T 10 speed cassette, a new chain and a front ring. Budget option, but good range, fairly affordable and no need for new shifter and derailleur. I'd start with a 30 or 32T chainring

[zoobear84]

In my opinion very nice if you are going for a slightly bigger chainring. I've spoken to a few people who run 34T with 11-51 or 11-50.

I run a 38T and do basic trails. No issues so far.

I'd say keep your old chainring and crank. My current crank on my hardtail was a conversion of a 2x to 1x with an external BB. You can change back if you want.

[WaynejG]

On 11/22/2022 at 9:00 AM, Alouette3 said:

Buy yourself a Shimano Deore 11-46T 10 speed cassette, a new chain and a front ring. Budget option, but good range, fairly affordable and no need for new shifter and derailleur. I'd start with a 30 or 32T chainring

This is what I did with a 36T ring upfront 

[Marcv]

any reason you not considering going to 1x12?

deore 1x12 with a sunrace cassette is not that much more than 1x11 with the 11 - 50 range.

[Me rida my bicycle]

11 hours ago, Marcv said:

any reason you not considering going to 1x12?

deore 1x12 with a sunrace cassette is not that much more than 1x11 with the 11 - 50 range.

This is true but on one you have slx or even xt and the other deore. Yes the one has one more gear where the 11spd would only have a 17t the 12spd will have a 15th and 18t something like that. 

 

Negative of 12spd : 

gears are so close together smallest change in cable tension and its welcome to the gear hunt.

You have an extra gear on the same width freebody but the 50t is dished to make room, so your derailleur runs incredibly close to you spokes. I have seen many a 12spd derailleur in there trying to see which one is stronger. 

When it comes to replacing parts, chains, cassettes are all more expensive. 

And for the weight weenies where I think the whole 1x started with, the cheap 12spd weights little more than the rest of your bike. I have seen 12spd cassettes close to the weight of my frame. 

11spd negative :

Your not in "fashion" keeping with the trends. 

 

 

[Marcv]

I've upgraded from 11s and run 12s for over 3 or 4 years and i haven't had any of the issues you have spoken about. I do run XT with a sunrace (the one that weighs a lot) cassette. if anything the only complaint i have is that in one gear i sometimes have to help it along when shifting up, but the drive train has seen a very muddy W2W and has lasted another 7.5K km post that so i really can't complain.

if you do go 11s then get the set up that is designed for a 50T in the rear, the older stuff can do it but you have to run the b setting so far from the cassette that shifting in the smaller gears as the chain wears is a problem.

[Me rida my bicycle]

8 hours ago, Marcv said:

I've upgraded from 11s and run 12s for over 3 or 4 years and i haven't had any of the issues you have spoken about. I do run XT with a sunrace (the one that weighs a lot) cassette. if anything the only complaint i have is that in one gear i sometimes have to help it along when shifting up, but the drive train has seen a very muddy W2W and has lasted another 7.5K km post that so i really can't complain.

if you do go 11s then get the set up that is designed for a 50T in the rear, the older stuff can do it but you have to run the b setting so far from the cassette that shifting in the smaller gears as the chain wears is a problem.

Maybe you are just lucky or they are unlucky but I have a bag full of XT and SLX 12spd derailleur pieces of derailleurs I have replaced for friends. 

 

[Steady Spin]

After replacing the sunrace 12spd cassette i’ve also had ZERO issues. GX on NX cassette is perfect

My Deore 12spd is also flawless. 
I don’t see the need to avoid 12spd. 

[ChrisF]

9 hours ago, Marcv said:

I've upgraded from 11s and run 12s for over 3 or 4 years and i haven't had any of the issues you have spoken about. I do run XT with a sunrace (the one that weighs a lot) cassette. if anything the only complaint i have is that in one gear i sometimes have to help it along when shifting up, but the drive train has seen a very muddy W2W and has lasted another 7.5K km post that so i really can't complain.

if you do go 11s then get the set up that is designed for a 50T in the rear, the older stuff can do it but you have to run the b setting so far from the cassette that shifting in the smaller gears as the chain wears is a problem.

 

You truly are very lucky.

 

After two off 12 speed GX systems that different bike shops could never get consistant I am a firm supporter of 1x11.  Actually have 4 bikes in the stable at the moment, all 1x11.

 

Pros ... lesz fiddly ...

 

Cons ... not in fashion ...